Geckos of the Week: How These Small Lizards Can Stick to Anything with Ease

Geckos are the animals of the week due to their incredible climbing abilities. These small lizards have soles on their feet that contain molecular stickers, which allow them to adhere to surfaces like glass walls and roofs with ease.

The gecko’s toes have tiny hairs that divide into spatula-like forks, measuring in nanometers. These tiny structures create a van der Waals force between the molecules on the gecko’s feet and the surface it is climbing. This force is relatively weak, but because of the millions of attachment points on a gecko’s foot, they can hang from ceilings and walls with great ease.

Geckos can also release themselves from these surfaces by flexing their toes, similar to how Velcro works. Moreover, the gecko’s legs have a water-repellent surface that allows them to climb wet surfaces like glass walls with ease. It is worth noting that geckos cannot climb Teflon as its molecules do not provide the same electrical adhesion surface as other surfaces.

Geckos are truly fascinating creatures with unique adaptations that allow them to explore their surroundings with ease. With over a thousand species, each one has its own impressive climbing feats, making them a true marvel of nature.